A witty pun about a sailing trip has been named the funniest joke at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Comedian Mark Simmons was voted the winner with his gag: "I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship but I bottled it.” The U&Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe is chosen by members of the public from a shortlist drawn up by judges.
The nautical one-liner was ranked among the best by 40% of those surveyed. Simmons is somewhat of a Fringe veteran. He performed his first solo show at the festival in 2014 after a friend convinced him to do an open mic night.
A previous gag was voted the second best joke at the festival in 2022 and he has also placed 6th and 9th in the contest. The comedian will be performing his More Jokes show at Liquid Rooms Annexe until Saturday 24 August before returning to his 200-date debut UK tour. Simmons said: "I’m really chuffed to win U&Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe.
"I needed some good news as I was just fired from my job marking exam papers, can’t understand it, I always gave 110%.” 1. I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship but I bottled it.
- Mark Simmons 2. I've been taking salsa lessons for months, but I just don't feel like I'm progressing. It's just one step forward.
.. two steps back.
- Alec Snook 3. Ate horse at a restaurant once - wasn’t great. Starter was all right but the mane was dreadful.
- Alex Kitson 4. I sailed through my driving test. That’s why I failed it.